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HISTORICAL SKETCH 



SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH 
IN ATTLEBOEOUGH : 

DELIVERED AT ITS CENTENNIAL MEETING, 

DECEMER 7, 1848. 



By JONATHAN CRANE, 

Pastor of the Church. 



BOSTON: 

DAMKELL & MOOKE, PRINTERS 16 DEVONSHIRE ST. 

1849. 



7 



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■As-^e 



t 



Rev. Jonathan Crane, 
Dear Sir, 

The undersigned, Committee of Arrangements for the Celebration 
of the Centennial Anniversary of the Second Congregational Church in 
Attleborough, request for publication a copy of your interesting and valuable 

historical Discourse, deUvered on that occasion. 

Peter Thacher, 
Noah Claflin, 
Phineas Satery, 
Jesse Carpenter, 
"Willard Blackinton, 
John Daggett, 
Daniel Wilmarth, 
Jesse R. Carpenter, 
Samuel Carpenter. 
Attleborough, Jan. 10, 1849. 



Attleborough, Jan. 30, 1849. 
Gentlemen, 

The Discourse, a copy of which you have asked for publication, was prepared 
at your request ; and, therefore, if in your judgment it should be committed to 
the press, as a reminiscence of the day on which it was delivered, and a pledge 
of your interest in the subject discussed, I do not consider myself at liberty to 
refuse. The chief difficulty I experienced in its preparation, arose from the 
vast number of topics to be noticed ; and, if many facts and incidents have 
been omitted, which others might judge would have been equally appropriate 
and desirable, the limits allotted to an ordinary discourse must be my apology. 

"With the earnest hope that the Church may be equally harmonious and 
prosperous for the century to come, having arrived, if possible, to a more eventful 
period in this world's history, 

I would subscribe myself. 

Yours, 

Sincerely and truly, 
•"*. ; Jonathan Crane. 

Dea. Peter Thacher, 
Noah Claflin, Esq. ^ Committee. 

Dr. P. Satery, and others, 



^ 'of 



HISTORICAL SKETCH. 



Then he remembered the days of old, Moses and his people. Isa. 63, 11. 

An acquaintance with the scenes and events of 
olden times, is usually considered as desirable, from 
the addition it makes to our stock of knowledge, and 
the means thereby furnished, to aid in the formation and 
adoption of just modes of thought, and correct principles 
of action. What may thus be said of the experience of 
former generations, generally, is peculiarly true of that 
period which children are expected to cherish with 
strong affection and regard, when the fathers were the 
actors, furnishing examples for their imitation and 
adoption, and their tastes, habits, and modes of action 
were receiving a moulding impression from others. 

In order, however, to a just appreciation and intelli- 
gent adoption of parental example, it is necessary that 
the motives which governed, and the principles that 
controlled, should be distinctly perceived and under- 
stood, and a correct estimate of its precise value and 
worth be formed from a knowledge of its nature, ex- 
tent, and results. 

This is the work to which the present occasion in- 
vites us. Having received our ecclesiastical rules, cus- 
toms and modes of religious faith from the founders 
of our churches, we would learn their utility, wisdom 
and design, for higher and nobler purposes than the 
mere indulgence of an idle curiosity or the gratification 
of foolish pride and vain glory. 



In addition to the manifest propriety and utility of 
the object which the present services contemplate, refer- 
ence may be made to the words of our text, as con- 
taining a sufficient scriptural warrant for the end, 
which the exercises of this day are designed to secure. 
If a secret suspicion should lurk in the breast of any 
one, that a desire to learn the virtues and revere the 
memory of an honored ancestry, savors of the spirit 
which our Saviour condemned, when he said, "ye build 
the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres 
of the righteous," let it be banished ; for, unlike the 
Jews, those to whom the present occasion appeals with 
the deepest interest, are the descendants of the men 
whose virtues they would extol, and thus they are wit- 
nesses for, and not against themselves. 

The subject selected as the topic of remark in this 
discourse, is the origin, history, and influence of the 
Church of Christ in this parish, and only a brief sketch 
of some prominent particulars will be attempted. 

The 30th of Nov., 1848, old style, commenced the 
second century of the Second Congregational Church in 
this town, and, short as that period is, she has outlived 
all those who were inhabitants of the town at the time 
of her organization, while her affairs have been con- 
ducted, and her ordinances administered, by successive 
generations of officers and members. Upon the 30th 
of Nov., 1748, this Church was constituted, by Rev. 
Mr. Leonard, pastor of the First Congregational 
Church at Plymouth, as the organ of an Ecclesiastical 
Council, called for that purpose, being a colony from 
the First Congregational Church in this town, then 
under the pastoral care of Rev. Habijah Weld, its hon- 
ored pastor, almost fifty-five years. 

The organization Avas attended with the utmost har- 
mony and kind feeling, on the part of those who re- 
moved their relation from the First Church, and those 
who remained. Perhaps to this fact is the parish in- 
debted for that harmony and unanimity, which have 



5 

always characterized its ecclesiastical affairs ; for, to its 
credit may it be said, that no record of any council 
can be found, except for the regular settlement and 
dismission of its ministers, and no other ecclesiastical 
society has been formed within its limits, to occasion 
that jealousy which existed between Ephraim and 
Judah; an evil of so much mischief and j?uilt, that Ciod 
promised as a special blessing, " Ephraim shall not 
envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim." The 
character of the motives which led to the formation 
of this Church may be judged from the letters, pre- 
served in their original forms, asking for a dismission, 
and the answers returned ; the former signed by twenty- 
six males and twenty-four females — the latter signed 
by Kev. Mr. Weld, in behalf of the church. (A.) 

The articles of faith then adopted, were those of the 
New-England confession, which, according to Mather, 
was made from that of the Savoy, in compliance with 
that at Westminster, and now remains in an abridged 
form for common use. This church, in her articles of 
faith, and by evidence from other sources, may claim a 
descent from the non-conformists, or Puritans of Eng- 
land, and thus possesses a pedigree which we would 
cherish and honor. According to record, it was a col- 
ony from the First Church in this town — which was 
formed by members from the First Congregational 
Church in"Rehoboth,now Seekonk, and that church was 
a branch from the Congregational Church in Weymoutli, 
under their pastor. Rev. Samuel Newman, the mem- 
bers o£ wliich, with the pastor, came from England 
previous to 1640, not twenty years after the landing 
of the Pilgrims at Plymouth. Concerning this Mr. 
Newman and his infant band, which formed the first 
settlement in Rehoboth, reference may be made to 
Mather and the historians of those times. 

Says iSIather, in his Magnalia — "The life of ISIr. 
Samuel Newman commenced with the century now 
running, (1600) at Banbury, where he was born of a 



6 

family, more eminent and more ancient for the pro- 
fession of the true Protestant religion, than most 
in the realm of England. After his parents, who had 
more piety and honesty than worldly greatness to sig- 
nalize them, had bestowed a good education upon him, 
and after his abode in the University of Oxford had 
given more perfection to that education, he became an 
able minister of the New Testament. But being under 
the conscientious dispositions of real Christianity, which 
was then called Puritanism, the persecution from the 
prevailmg hierarchy, whereto he therefore became ob- 
noxious, deprived him of liberty for the peaceable ex- 
ercise of his ministry. Whence it came to pass, that 
although he might otherwise have termed him a Pres- 
byter of one town by ordination, we must now call him 
an Evangelist of many through persecution ; for the 
Episcopal molestations compelled him to no less than 
seven removes, and as many places may now claim the 
honor of his ministry, as there did for Homer's nativity. 
But an eighth remove, whereto a weariness of the for- 
mer seven drove him, shall bury in silence the claims 
of all other places unto him ; for after the year 1638, 
(in which year with many others, as excellent Chris- 
tians as any breathing upon earth, he crossed the water 
to America,) he must be styled a New-England man." 

The period above referred to was the one during 
which the hierarchy endeavored to crush and destroy 
pure religion by fines, imprisonment and death ; and 
when the descendants of the Puritans recount the 
scenes of those times, they cannot be blamed if they 
are very jealous of any approaches to the old ecclesi- 
astical system, under which those barbarities were 
allowed and practised. As a specimen of the evils to 
which Mr. Newman and kindred spirits were exposed 
when in England, let the following extract suffice. 

Says one, speaking of those times, — 

"Dr. Leighton, tlie father of the worthy Archbishop of the same 
name, was tried before Laud, for his nonconformity. At the instigation 



of this furious prelate, this holy man was sentenced to be dcn-aded 
from the ministry, to have his ears cut, his nose slit, to he branded in 
the face, to be whipped at the post, to stand in the pillory, to pay ten 
thousand pounds, and to suffer perpetual imprisoiunent. And when 
this terrible sentence was pronounced. Laud pulled off his hat and gave 
thanks to God, who had given him this victory over his enemies. A 
certain Mr. Hayden, having spoken from the pulpit against some severi- 
ties of Laud, was sentenced by him to Bridewell, where he was whipped 
and kept to hard labor, then confined in a cold, dark hole durin"- the 
whole winter, chained to a post in the middle of the room, with irons on 
his hands and feet, having no other food than bread and water, and no 
bed on which to lie, but a pad of straw." 

More than two hundred years have rolled away 
since the first Church in Rehoboth was formed, and 
therefore, for the first settlers, may we claim the title 
of Pilgrim fathers, if they did not land directly at Ply- 
mouth. As an interesting historical fact, it may be 
mentioned, that the plantation for one or two years 
was independent of any jurisdiction. "■ It does not ap- 
pear," says Hon. Mr. Baylies, " that any permission to 
settle here was sought, either of the jurisdiction of 
Plymouth, or of Massachusetts, although both colonies 
afterwards claimed Seekonk; but in 1645, it was 
received by Plymouth, and became the town of Reho- 
both, a name derived from the scriptures, and selected 
by Mr. Newman." If other proof were needed, of a 
direct descent from the Puritans of England, it might 
be found in the general use of Christian names, derived 
from the scriptures, as Noah and Samuel, Nehemiah 
and Ezra, Elijah and Daniel, Amos and Obadiah, with 
others that were expressive of some Christian virtue or 
event, as Grace and Mercy, Silence and Content, Patience 
and Prudence, Experience and Deliverance, not to speak 
of others less common, as Wonderful, Freelove, Wait- 
still, &c. Such were the conscientious convictions of 
the Puritans, says Southey, that many of the clergy 
refused to baptize by any names which w^ere not found 
in the scriptures, or were not expressive of some 
Christian virtue or event. 

With articles of faith, that distinguished the early 



Puritans, known as Calvinistic, and a CongTegational 
form of church orovernment, neither the original church 
in Rehoboth, nor any of the churches that have de- 
scended from her, have fallen away, or like some of 
the original churches in the old ten towns of Plymouth 
Colony, been left to adopt another faith, or embrace 
another gospel, than that known unto the fathers. 

From such an ancestry, this church was organized 
under the pastoral care of Pev. Peter Thacher, with 
seventy-five members, forty-six of whom WTre from the 
First Church in this town, and the rest, with two or 
three exceptions, from the Church in Seekonk, While 
the nominal date of this Church is in 1748, yet a distinct 
parish was formed, and the regular worship of God 
established in 1743, five years previous, for which dif- 
ference, a satisfactory reason is found upon the records 
of the Church ; being caused principally by the death 
of Rev. Mr. Thacher's father, in Middleboro', and an 
unchristian sejDaration, on the part of some of the 
members of the First Church. As proof of the Christian 
union, that existed between this and the First Church, 
the following extract from Pev. Mr. Thacher's sermon, 
at the funeral of Pev. Mr. Weld, may be quoted : — 

" The most of the time, between August 20, 1743, and November 
30, 1748, I stood in the relation of pastor elect, to the brethren and 
people of God, in the easterly part of Attleborough, and preached to 
them on other Sabbaths ; yet with mutual consent, we all attended the 
Rev. Mr. Weld's meetings, the Sabbaths on which he administered the 
Lord's Supper. Indeed there was a charming unanimity, and charm- 
ing administrations." 

The year 1743, in which this parish was formed, is 
memorable in the religious history of our country, 
especially of New England, for the great awaken- 
ing, under Edwards and his cotemporaries. This 
town shared largely in that work, and a large pro- 
portion of the original members of this Church, 
were among its subjects. Within the three years 
that preceded the formation of this parish, the First 



Church in this toAvii, received 192 to her comininiion. 
To us it is o-ratifying to find the name of llahijah 
Weld, associated with a Lirge nuniher of ('on^iJoa- 
tional ministers, assembled at Boston, July 7th, 1743, 
who gave their " testimony and ad^ice, occasioned," 
as they said, " by the late hapi)y revi\al of religion in 
many parts of the land." 

This Church we regard as the product of the great 
awakening in 1740, and, born at a time of revivals, it 
has been her privilege and honor to enjoy repeated 
seasons of a refreshing from the presence of the Lord. 
This awakening brouglit into existence another 
Church in this town, ^\ ith the name of the Separatists, 
over which Mr. Daniel Shepardson was ordained, Jan. 
20th, 1747 ; and as the principle, for whicli those of 
that name were distinguished, was adopted b}' the iirst 
Church, and also by this, we may sujipose that the 
separation might be called " sad and unchristian." 
Not only has a subscription to certain articles of faith 
been required as a condition of membership, but also 
a written narrative or relation of the evidences of the 
new birth, or Christian piety, which have been read to 
the congregation, at least two Sabbaths previous to the 
reception of the candidate, and h.R\e been preserved 
during the whole period with the records, gi^■ing proof 
of one regular, uniform course. The Church in IVlid- 
dleboro, with which the first pastor of this Church 
united, it is said, retains the same practice in common 
with us. 

With such a view of the origin of this Church, we 
are prepared to notice some events in her history, as 
for a century, like a noble bark at sea, she has been 
borne onward by the waves, rather than engulfed and 
ruined. Formed soon after the bloody wars with the 
Indians, she passed through the American Revolution, 
and has witnessed a change almost miraculous, on the 
part of the colonies, a change from a state of colonial 
dependence, to that of an united, free and independent 
2 



10 

republic ; from a condition of great poverty and de- 
pression, to one of comparative vv^ealth, renown and 
honor. Some idea of the change in the comparative 
wealth of the people, may be formed from the altera- 
tions to which their houses of religious worship have 
been subject. In this parish, we do not learn that 
pews were provided for the accommodation of families, 
until the year 1780, when the room upon the floor was 
divided and sold, to pay the expense incurred for al- 
terations and repairs, amounting, according to record, 
to £23,000 ; but as if to save their credit from a charge 
of wasteful extravagance, it is added, that "one 
silver dollar shall be received for seventy-two dollars 
of the old emission." 

Since the history of the Church is closely united 
with that of her pastors, it is proper they should be 
noticed jointly; while with devout thanks to God, we 
would acknowledge our obligations to those who have 
aided in the compilation of tunes of music, in which 
the songs of Zion have been expressed, one of whom 
was a citizen of this town, and from whose book of 
music, used in the days of the fathers, our selection 
to day is taken,* and also to the composers of our 
psalms and hymns, among whom Dr. Watts stands 
first, and almost alone, for his psalms and hymns have 
been used, according to our best information, from the 
origin of the Church, and through them, he has spoken 
to the Protestant Churches of Christendom, though he 
has slept with the dead a century, having died Nov. 
25, 1748. 

Of the first pastor of this Church, much might be 
said, as an able and faithful minister of the New Tes- 
tament. With his name first upon the catalogue of 
members, he gave to the Church a mouldmg, forming 
impression, and some of the results of his labors are 
we called to witness to-day. 

* Joel Read, Esq., author of Read's Collection, and brother of Daniel Read, 
Esq., author of Columbian Harmony, &c. 



11 

llev. Peter Tliaclicr* descended from a pious and 
honored ancestry, as the son of Rev. Peter Thachcr, of 
iSIiddleborongh, whose praise was amonp^ the Churches, 
grandson of llev. Peter Thacher of Milton; great- 
grandson of Rev. Thomas Thacher, the first pastor of 
Old South Church, Boston ; great-great-grandson of 
Rev. Peter Thacher of Salisbury, England, who was 
prevented from an emigration to this country, only by 
sickness in his family. 

The descendant of such an honored ancestry, Mr. 
Thacher is the progenitor of a list, reaching now to 
the third and fourth generation of those who profess 
the same faith, and some of whom are called to preach 
the same precious gospel. It w^as ascertained, about 
ten years since, that of his direct descendants over fif- 
teen years of age, numbering 142, at least 101 had been, 
or were members of Evangelical Churches. At the 
present time, it is our privilege to be able to state, 
that of his descendants there are three grand-sons in 
the Christian ministry, and a grand-daughter, the wife 
of an honored, esteemed missionary among the Choc- 
taws, for twenty-five years, (Rev. ]Mr. Hotchkins); two 
great-grandsons in the ministry, and two in a course 
of preparation, and one great-great-grandson, already 
in the ministry, (Rev. AVillard Richardson,) and al- 
though of another name, yet a name inherited from 
one of tlie original members of this Church, who 
bears and sustains the same relation to the first pastor 
of tliis Church, which he sustained to Rev. Peter 
Thacher, of Salisbury, England, and would have 
been a valuable delegate to this meeting, as the repre- 
sentative of a generation yet in its infancy, and a 
pledge that our hopes of future generations will not 
be disappointed. 

Mr. Thacher was a graduate of Harvard University, 

*It is a tradition in the family, that he was the 14th eldest son, who entered 
the ministry in succession, but if he was not, it will appear that if there is any 
virtue in the name Peter, this Church is fairly entitled to its share. 



12 

in the class of 1737, and although but one sermon of 
his was published during his ministry, yet from the 
volume published since his decease, and the sermons 
preserved in their original form among his descend- 
ants, and from other sources, we are assured that his 
literary and theological character was highly respecta- 
ble and praiseworthy. He was the minister of the 
parish forty years, and was finally laid aside by a 
stroke of paralysis, and his grave is with us. Many 
besides his numerous descendants, are called upon to 
rise up and call him blessed ; to praise and bless the 
goodness of God in his settlement among this people, 
as an ascension gift, from the great Head of the 
Church to them. Soon after his settlement, he was 
married to Bethiah, daughter of Deacon Obadiah Car- 
penter, whose descendants are equally distinguished 
for numbers and piety. 

During the ministry of Mr. T., much attention w^as 
paid to the rite of infant baptism, and a large propor- 
tion of the children of the Church received the seal of 
the covenant at his hands ; a few of whom are now 
with us, and one, a member of this Church, who was 
baptized ninety-one years ago last October.* 

From the organization of the Church, until 1780, 
but foAV additions Avere received, showdng the baneful 
effects of civil commotions and wars upon the spiritual 
interests of a people. The year 1780 forms an impor- 
tant period in its history, and although larger numbers 
have been added at other times, yet probably none 
more important to its prosperity and success. Of the 
additions then made, only one remains, having enjoyed 
a visible relation to the Church sixty-eight years.f 

Soon after this, the pastor was laid aside by a stroke 
of paralysis, which caused his death ; and praise would 
we offer to his memory, while peace would we invoke 

* Mrs. Mercy Everett, daughter of Mr. Andrew Starkey, and mother of Mr. 
Daniel Babcock. 

t Miss Deborah Starkey. 



l;3 

to his ashes, for to his ministerial services in this par- 
ish, are patriotism and ecUieation, moraUty and pi(>ty, 
greatly indebted. By instruction in the school and 
personal addresses, in addition to those of catechetical 
exercises and the public discourse, did he labor to pro- 
mote the intellectual, moral and religious good of the 
people committed to his charge, and these services 
should be held in high admiration, especially when it 
is understood that the whole parish was divided into 
school districts not numbering more than two or three,* 
and that old Harvard stood almost alone in her eftbrts 
to raise up educated and pious men for the service of 
the country, and the people were called to pass through 
those mighty struggles which severed the colonies 
from England. 

In 1793, Rev. Ebenezer Lazell, of Bridgwater, and 
a graduate of Brown University, was ordained pastor 
of this Church, but his ministry was too short, (less 
than five years,) to be very marked in its results upon 
the character, either of the Church or parish. Soon 
after his settlement, he was married to IMiss Chloe, 
daughter of Mr. Abiathar Richardson, and both re- 
moved to the State of N. York, and have since deceased. 
During this period, the nation enjoying peace at home 
and with foreign nations, there was a great disposition 
on the part of the inhabitants of this parish, to leave 
their homes and seek for settlements in sections of the 
country, wdiere land was more productive, and at the 
same time less expensive. Accordingly, many went 
into those districts and sections that were comparatively 
new, and apparently believing what has since proved 
true, that "Westward the star of empire takes its way;" 
a large proportion of those who left, took their course 

*■ The parish is now divided into ten school districts, with a fund, bequeathed as 
a Icsracy, by Mr. Abiathar A. liichardson, of §11,000, under tlie control of a 
Board of Trustees, chosen annually by the parish, the officers of which Board for 
the present year, consist of Mr. Samuel Carpenter, Pros., J. Daggett, Esq., Sec, 
and Mr. Elias Fuller, Treasurer. The districts number this year, 404 scholars, 
between four and sixteen, and each scholar draws from the treasury of the town, 
$2 per annum, at least, and in the small disti-icts more. 



14 

towards the setting sun. Of these, an interesting 
group, known originally as the " nine partners," set- 
tled near the banks of the Susquehanna, in the State 
of Pennsylvania. 

While this policy may have proved highly benefi- 
cial to the new settlements, it made no small draught 
upon the strength and resources of the Church and 
parish, so that, at the commencement of the present 
century, the Church w^as very small, and the parish 
was known in town rather as the precinct^ a designa- 
tion inherited with less significancy, than the appella- 
tions "Down East," or "Far West." 

At this low state of Church and parish, Rev. Nathan 
Holman, of Sutton, was ordained (Oct. 15, 1800) as 
their third pastor and minister, and his settlement was 
under auspicious circumstances, being attended with 
an interesting revival of religion, which secured an in- 
crease of strength and of numbers to the Church. 
With this increase, however, the Church did not ac- 
quire that ascendency and control in the moral and 
religious affairs of the parish, necessary to her stability 
and success. The years following are thus marked 
upon her records, as years of great spiritual dearth and 
leanness. 

This declension continued till 1815, when God 
proved his love to this people, by a gracious and pow- 
erful work of divine grace, which added to the Church 
more than one hundred. (B.) 

This work not only caused the good seed that had 
been long sown, to spring up and give promise of 
much fruit, but revealed the alarming extent to which 
the enemy had sown his tares. Upon this accession of 
strength and numbers, came a struggle for ascendency ; 
truth or error, good and sound morals, or hateful and 
vile practices and customs. The form which the strug- 
gle assumed, was that of Christian doctrine in the garb 
and under the name of Universalism. Happily for us, 
the Church came out of the conflict as gold tried in 



15 

the fire, harmonious and united, losing only one mem- 
ber from her communion, and witnessing the power 
and beauty of her doctrines and ordinances to cause a 
change in the out^Aard morals, and to control the hab- 
its and customs of a people, which, to the surviving 
actors, must appear more like a dream than a reality. 

What the parish was, previous to 1815, in its mor- 
als and piety, contrasted with the scene as presented 
to day, furnishes a sketch that a master hand might 
well covet, and we leave it with the single remark, 
that it had gained a remarkable notoriety for horse- 
racing, card-playing, and similar Aices, that were 
patronized by the lovers of iniquity far and near, and 
were allowed in all their corrupting, debasing and 
destroying effects upon the children and youth. The 
scathing, withering, blasting effects of the habits and 
customs then in vogue, are registered in the history of 
families that sustained them, in the tastes and moral 
sensibilities of children, if not children's children. As 
a streak of light to relieve this gloomy picture, it may 
be stated, that then the mechanical and manufacturing 
establishments in town commenced their operations, by 
means of which, the gentle stream that waters our 
meadows has been made tributary to the enterprise of 
the parish, and has yielded a rich revenue to the wealth 
and resources of the town. While they have proved 
that immorality is no more necessarily connected with 
the loom and spindles than with the plough and spade, 
so, also, have they furnished the means of support to 
an increased population within our limits, and have 
added a relative value to the other sections of the 
parish. In this enterprise, the names of Ebenezer 
Tyler and Elijah Ingraham, w^ill stand foremost; after- 
wards associated with the manufactures and prosperity 
of Pawtucket, and the political interests of the Com- 
monwealth in its Senate cliamber. 

The revival of 1815 enabled the Church to give five 
of her youthful sons to the work of the gospel minis- 



16 

try, four of whom are now living, while the fifth fell 
into an early and premature grave, as the youthful, but 
beloved and esteemed pastor of the Congregational 
Church in Palmer, of his native State, (Rev. Henry H. 
F. Sweet, son of Henry Sweet.) 

Soon after this, the pastor was led to ask for a dis- 
mission from his charge, and with great reluctance on 
the part of the Church and parish, his request was 
granted, and he was dismissed by an Ecclesiastical 
Council, in 1821. After his dismission, he Avas called 
to supply vacant pulpits in the vicinity, but chose to 
make his home with this people, where he had wit- 
nessed such precious results to his labors, and to make 
his grave in the midst of those to whom he had min- 
istered the word and ordinances of God. His grave is 
with us, with an expressive motto upon its neat and 
chaste monument, — " Look to God," whereby though 
dead, he yet speaketh. Rev. Mr. Holman was mar- 
ried early in his ministry to a daughter of Mr. Samuel 
Morey, of Norton, who was his companion more than 
forty years, and soon followed him to the grave. He 
was a graduate of Brown University, in the class of 
1794, and in addition to printed discourses, has be- 
queathed the place of his studies and prayers, of pas- 
toral anxiety, conference and care, to those who can 
cherish its tender associations, and delight in ascrip- 
tions of honor to his name, as their glory. 

The next pastor Avas the Rev. John Ferguson, who 
was ordained in 1822. The period of his ministry was 
blessed with repeated additions to the Church, both as 
to membership and piety, and marked the commence- 
ment of that system, now in successful operation, of 
support to the various benevolent enterprises of the 
day, and of aid to the labors of parents and pastors, by 
a judicious and careful education of chiklren in Sab- 
bath schools, and maternal associations. Although 
the ministry of Mr. Ferguson was limited to the short 
term of thirteen years, yet it secured the strength and 



IT 

ability of his riper years, and was of great Aaliie in the 
administration of wise and judicious measures, and dis- 
cipline. (The presence of Mr. Ferguson, at the time 
this discourse was delivered, rendered it unnecessary 
that other remarks should be added. Since his dis- 
mission, he has labored in the ministry, in the towns 
of AMiately and Lanesboro', and is now successfully 
employed by the American Tract Society, for the State 
of New Hampshire, and in his life of Dr. Hopkins, 
has given a pleasing specimen of his taste and power 
as a writer.) 

At this favorable period, was the present pastor or- 
dained (Oct. 20tli, 18-36,) and during the time of his 
ministry, the Church has enjoyed peace and external 
prosperity. To give a brief view of the Church in her 
present state and condition, it may not be improper to 
mention some statistical facts which have come within 
the rana'G of his observations and labors. As to the 
membership of the Church during that period, the 
number of additions, by certificate, is nearly balanced 
by the number of dismissions with letter, and for an 
increase of members and for a supply of vacancies pro- 
duced by death, we have been obliged to depend u]3on 
additions by profession, which have averaged nearly 
nine per annum, while the number of vacancies by 
death has not been more than four per annum, thus 
showing not only an actual increase of members, 
through the unmerited goodness of God, but an in- 
debtedness to a kind providence for a preservation 
from any special diseases, to thin our ranks. To 
this providence must w^e ascribe the interesting fact, 
that during the period of twelve years, only seven 
male members have died, the average of ^vllose ages 
was sixty-nine years, and with the exception of one, 
who died young, seventy-six years ; and also, that there 
are now m the" Church more than forty members, the 
average of whose ages is more than three score and 
ten, sixteen of whom average at least eighty years, and 
3 



18 

nine in their eightieth year or upwards, eighty-four years. 
Although from this class much active labor cannot be 
expected, yet in a variety of methods their preserva- 
tion may he accounted as a blessing, not the least of 
which, we hope will be seen in the hopefuL piety and 
extensive usefulness of many, who, like Timothy, may 
profess the unfeigned faith that dwelt in their grand- 
mothers, and having known the scriptures from child- 
hood, become able teachers of the same. While their 
presence among us is esteemed to be a great blessing, 
it claims also sympathy and kindness, for they have 
passed the limit fixed to human life, and are fast pass- 
ing away. It is to the speaker a fact of peculiar so- 
lemnity, that while the number of funerals at which 
he has been called to officiate cannot vary much from 
two hundred and fifty, only one of the whole number 
arrived to the age of a century, and that funeral was 
upon a day, when a severe storm of snow with the 
cold winds not only rendered the greatest persever- 
ance necessary on our part for an attendance, but 
seemed to have conspired with the frosts to deny to 
friends an affectionate token of respect to the aged, who 
had outlived their generation and almost themselves. 
With an increase of membership, has there been an 
increase of regular attendants upon the public services 
of the Sabbath. The Sabbath School, justly styled the 
nursery of the Church, has been highly prospered, re- 
porting last spring, more than three hundred members, 
under the superintendance of Mr. Jesse Carpenter. As 
a favorable sign, it may also be mentioned, that of 
more than one hundred marriages, solemnized by the 
present pastor, not more than two or three were graced 
with wine or any intoxicating drink, and that early in 
the history of total abstinence societies, there were at 
least five hundred pledged members in the parish. 
This we regard as a good omen to the Church, for 
temperance is no less a harbinger or pioneer, than a 
component part of good morals and Christian piety. 



11) 

The charity of the Church has not failed, but the 
streams of her C'hristian beneficence have flo\\ ed annu- 
ally and regularly for the benefit of a dying- race, and 
if they have not been as large as those of more wealthy 
Churches, or the gospel demands, yet we believe they 
have aided to swell that tide of benevolence which 
seeks to benefit, bless and save a world in ruins. 

More than thirty years has the Cent Society, formed 
among the ladies, pursued the even tenor of its way, 
with a silent and noiseless step, furnishing last year 
more than .^40, as a proof of valued and faithful mem- 
bers, which, with the products of their sewing circle 
and annual contributions from the congregation, has 
gone to aid in the cultivation of the rich and promis- 
ing field of Home Missions, embracing the destitute 
districts of Massachusetts, with other sections of our 
country. 

The Monthly Concert has furnished with its prayers 
a regular contribution that has gone, with a regular 
collection in the congregation, to aid the man of God 
who is called to stand upon foreign shores, and as 
God's ambassador, to teach idolatrous nations the way 
of life and salvation. 

The flight of the angel, seen by the beloved disciple 
in apocalyptic vision, having the everlasting gospel to 
preach to the nations, has been watched in his pro- 
gress and triumphs, and although Babylon has not yet 
fallen, yet with our sympathies and prayers have gone 
our contributions and efibrts, to keep the Bible as the 
Christian's talisman in all our houses, and to give it 
unsealed and untrammeled to all nations, and, as 
auxiliaries, to furnish the little tracts, those " swift 
winged messengers of the mind," and the leaves of the 
tree that yielded her fruit monthly to every family, and 
to assist the hardy Colporteur, who needs a supply for 
his temporal wants, (being composed of flesh and 
blood like ourselves,) as he knocks at the doors and 
hearts of men, in the name of his God and Saviour, for 



20 

a reception and acknowledgement of its hopes and 
promise.s. 

The student, with his purse-stricken and care- 
worn labors, in his struggles, amid privations and 
want, to qualify himself for the Christian ministry, and 
the mariner upon the briny deep, have not been for- 
gotten ; and for years have the young ladies of this 
congregation, with their needles, worked for the noble 
hearted tarpaulin, and I doubt not, many a noble tar 
would have felt his burden removed and his heart 
exhilerated, if he could have seen the pleasantness of 
their monthly meetings, and witnessed their sympathy 
in his trials and misfortunes. 

Perhaps enough has been said to show the general 
interest which has existed for institutions of Christian 
benevolence, without any particular reference to the 
cause of peace or anti-slavery, or Sabbath schools, 
with the erection of houses of religious worship, and 
the claims of our Western colleges, for all of which, we 
doubt not, more regular and substantial aid would have 
been rendered, if it could be said of all, as our Saviour 
said of the woman who anointed his head with oint- 
ment of spikenard, " She hath clone w^hat she could," 

With this brief sketch of the origin and history of 
this church, it cannot be deemed impertinent that we 
should speak of its beneficial influence. As to the 
happy influence of the church, it may be mentioned, to 
her credit, that she has lived for a century, and, like 
those planted in the house of the Lord, flourishes in 
the courts of our God, numbering upon her lists the 
youthful and fair, presenting a picture of the lights 
and shadows of human life, uniting in her communion, 
the smiling, lovely expression of youth, in bold con- 
trast with the wrinlded cheek and feeble step of infirm 
old age. The term of her existence we should judge 
to be sufficiently long, for a trial of the comparative 
value of God's word and ordinances, v»dth the word 
and institutions of men. 



21 

During the year that procrdod the organization of 
the chnrch, sonic of its original members made written 
acknowledgments of their sin and guilt, incurred by 

their presence at the house of , (names having 

passed away entirely from the knowledge of the 
people, need not be mentioned,) where there was a 
number of " vain persons, in the exercise of xam 
sports," to teach us, that there have been from the 
beginning those who lo"\ed vanity, and could choose 
folly. If occasions have existed for similar confessions 
from members of the church, its records do not show ; 
but evidence is not deficient to prove, that vain per- 
sons have been raised up in sad succession ; yet who 
is prepared to defend their principles, or their manner 
of life, as contrasted wdth the professors of our holy 
religion, and what sober, candid person, feels con- 
strained to pronounce an eulogium upon their memory, 
or seriously thinks that it is due from society to make 
some public acknowledgment for services rendered by 
those who provided for their entertainment, even 
though at an expense of nightly toil and labor '? 

To the retributions of a just and merciful God would 
we leave those who have turned ii\\a\ from the paths 
of wisdom and piety, and account it as evidence in 
favor of the church, that she has been preserved, with 
a prospect of increasing strength and usefulness, espe- 
cially when we learn the nature of the evils from 
without to which she has been exposed, and from 
Avhich, has suffered ; and the silent, but no less per- 
nicious and deceptive opposition of the natural heart. 
That the church has continued for a century requu'ing 
assent to her doctrines and written relations, that 
contain marked evidences of a change of heart, by the 
Holy Ghost, is proof that there has been a vital power 
lodged with her, to enliven the zeal and increase the 
strength of her members. While this result is suffi- 
cient to compensate for the labor and expense neces- 
sary to support her ordinances and institutions, yet has 



22 

there gone forth a spreading, revivmg, and purifying 
power, the effect of which can be read in the history 
of other towns, and can be seen to its full extent, only 
by an Omniscient eye. 

For evidence of some direct good, w'e would refer to 
the fact, that of the direct descendants from those who 
formed the church by a solemn covenant, at least 
thirteen are known among the churches as living minis- 
ters of the gospel, and three others are in a course of 
preparation for the same work. AYliile the scene thus 
presented interests our hearts, additional pleasure is 
derived from the assurance that they hold to Jesus 
Christ as the living head, and preach him as the power 
and wisdom of God unto salvation. 

From the living ministry, we can turn to the history 
of other churches for evidence, that this church has not 
lived in vain. Not to speak of all who have removed 
to other towns, from many of whom gratifying accounts 
have returned of their active service for Christ and his 
church, it is our privilege to quote from printed docu- 
ments of churches that are ready to show their respect 
and attachment by delegations on this occasion : a 
respect which we would recij^rocate with emotions of 
gratitude and joy. 

Says the Rev. Mr. Miller, the highly valued and 
esteemed pastor of the Congregational Church, at 
Harford, Pa., in a printed sermon, — "A church was 
organized, June 13, 1800, by Rev. Jedediah Chapman, 
a missionary, from N.J. It consisted of seven mem- 
bers, viz., Obadiah Carpenter, and his wife Ama, John 
Tyler, and his wife Mary, John Thacher, Mercy Car- 
penter, wife of Obadiah Carpenter, Jun., and Miss 
Mary Thacher, all having letters from the Congrega- 
tional Church in Attleborough, of which Rev. Peter 
Thacher was pastor ; and ' soon afterwards ' the church 
declared themselves to be of the Congregational order, 
and voted that the Confession of Faith of the Second 
Church of Christ in Attleboro', and Covenant, together 



23 

with the Cambridge riatfonn, be the rule of their 
faith and discipKne." In 1806, this was exchanged for 
one more brief. 

When the original founders of that church, tlie 
hardy pioneers, left their paternal homes, more than 
half a century since, much solicitude and anxiety were 
experienced for their welfare and prosperity, going 
like Joseph, far, far away from kindred and friends ; 
but now that anxiety and solicitude are turned into 
joy, as the distance is reduced from a month's hard 
travel, to that of less than two days ; and the little 
church, planted in a new soil, has grown so luxuriantly, 
that in place of one it has become four bands, while 
colonies from it have gone as far as Illinois, to enlarge 
the borders of our Zion, having received to its com- 
munion probably not less than five hundred members. 
Looking at this church, brought so near to us with its 
three branches, sustaining the regular ministrations 
of God's word and ordinances, having been served by 
ten deacons and two pastors, we can but bid her God 
speed, and pray that " the little one may become a 
thousand, and the small one a strong nation." 

One of the causes for such rapid growth and pros- 
perity is to be found, doubtless, in the recorded state- 
ment, that " since the organization of the church, 
public worship has been held, on every Sabbath, except 
perhaps four, when storms of remarkable severity, or 
other extraordinary reason prevented." 

To this certified attestation of the virtue that has 
gone forth from this church, may be added the follow- 
ing extract from a preface to the Articles of Faith and 
Covenant of the Congregational Church, Paw^tucket : — 

" The Pawtucket Congregational Church was origin- 
ally composed of but nine members, one male and eight 
females. All these were members of the church, in 
Attleboro', under the pastoral care of Rev. Mr. Fergu- 
son. In April, 1829, they were dismissed from that 
church, with Christian aifection and commendation, 

tore 



24 

for the purpose of being organized into a distinct 
branch of the Christian Church, to be located in the 
village of Pawtucket. That purpose was effectuated by 
a regularly convened ecclesiastical council, on the 17th 
of the above month." 

Although it may be deemed superfluous, yet would 
we attest our deep sincere " respect for the wisdom and 
judgment of those who planned and executed the 
erection of their commodious and commanding house 
of worship, which has stood for twenty years, with its 
noble front and open doors, facing the land of Roger 
Williams, to welcome the return of any who may have 
felt as though they were exiles from the religious cus- 
toms and usages of their fathers ; and also for that 
enlightened piety and faith, which prayed for, and 
sought, the formation of a Congregational Church, for 
if but one male member* was ready to enter its fold, 
yet, in anticipation of the decision of succeeding gene- 
rations, the measure has received the verdict of an 
enlightened public, and a seal of approbation from 
those whose presence, countenance, and aid were neces- 
sary to its success, having received to its communion 
more than four hundred members. Located almost side 
by side, our prayer is, that this church and theirs may 
always cultivate the same fraternal harmony and union 
which now blends them so beautifully together, and 
that the only provocation between them shall be to 
love and good works. 

Already has that church sent forth a noble colony, 
which has planted a church of the same order, in the 
adjoining village, near to the supposed place where 
resided, and was buried, Blackstone, the first inhabit- 
ant, within the original bounds of Attleboro', and who, 
though a regular clergyman of the Established Church 
of England, proved himself a regular Independent, 
ranked by Mather, " among the godly Episcopalians, 

* Deacon Remember Carpenter, a name that will long be remembered, as en- 
deared to the friends of truth and piety. 



25 

but of a particular humor, and would never join any 
of our churches, giving this reason for it, — I came 
from England, because I did not like the lord bishops ; 
but I can't join with you, because I would not be 
under the lord brethren."* For this branch from the 
church at Pawtucket, we can entertain no other than 
the most cordial sympathy and lively interest, hoping 
and believing that no one will be suffered to take from 
them their crown, and that their faith will look to the 
power of God, rather than to the wisdom of man. 

These are some of the sources from which our evi- 
dence is derived, that God has granted some success 
to the faith and piety of the members of this church. 
Other considerations might be presented, proving the 
influence of the church, in the general utility of her 
forms of faith for the great purposes of education, 
morality, and piety, and the happy, pleasant effects of 
her forms of ecclesiastical polity, for the promotion 
of peaceful order and republican simplicity in civil 
society. For illustration of this general utility, we 
would refer to the first plantation at Rehoboth, which 
lived a 3'ear, without any jurisdiction, either from 
Massachusetts or Plymouth colonies, and also to that 
colony which went from this parish and settled in the 
forests of Pennsylvania. 

Of the origmal settlement at Harford, says Rev. 
Mr. Miller, " The early settlers were characterized by 
industry, frugality, morality, and mutual kind feeling. 
Ilardly distinguished in interest, or employment, or 
temporal circumstances, they found at each other's 
rude cabins a homely but cordial entertainment. Re- 
mote from public roads, and, I had almost said, from 
the rest of the world, they knew little of political 
agitations, or of any general occasion of excitement. 

* Of Blackstone, Dr. Snow, in his History of Boston, makes the following 
statement : — Though he was far from agreeing with Roger Williams, he used fre- 
quently to go to Providence to preach the gospel, and to encourage his younger 
hearers ; while he gratified his own benevolent disposition, he would give them of 
his apples, which were the first they ever saw. 

4 



26 

The State, on whose soil they dwelt, appeared not to 
claim them as part of its members, or to extend over them 
the folds of its civil government. For nearly ten years 
they were left without taxes or military duties, without 
rulers or civil authority. A sense of justice, the dic- 
tates of kindness, the power of moral training, and of 
public opinion, were their officers and executors." 

That our views may not be deemed visionary, or 
suspected of partisan character, let foreign travellers 
speak, whose names are a sufficient endorsement for 
the honesty, if not the justice, of these opinions. Says 
Von Raumer, " No where in the world does there 
exist such a universal, finished, and, withal, quiet 
democracy as in New England." Says De Tocqueville, 
" We find, in the laws of New England, the germ and 
gradual development of that township Independence, 
which is the life and mainspring of American liberty 
at the present day. And it is not the administration, 
but the political efi"ects of the local system, that I 
admire most in America." 

Where is the type, the model of this " township 
Independence," but in our churches, and what causes 
are more powerful to secure the " political efi'ects of 
our local system," than these 1 That we may be relieved 
from the charge of sectarianism, that bugbear and 
phantom used to frighten the friends of truth, I 
would quote an extract from Hon. Mr. Bancroft, in 
his History of the United States (vol. 2, p. 413.) " To 
advance intellectual freedom, Calvinism denied, abso- 
lutely denied the sacrament of ordination, thus break- 
ing up the great monopoly of priestcraft, and scatter- 
ing the ranks of superstition. 

" To secure a life in the public mind, in Geneva, in 
Scotland, wherever it gained dommion, it invoked 
intelligence for the people, and in every parish planted 
the common school. In an age of commerce, to stamp 
its influence on the new world, it went on board the 
fleet of Winthrop, and was wafted to the bay of Mas- 



27 

sachusetts. Is it denied, that events follow principles, 
that mind rules the world I The institutions of Mas- 
sachusetts were the exact counterpart of its religious 
system." 

If in any section of New England such declarations 
can find a ready, hearty response, it must be on soil 
that was sheltered and defended by the Old Plymouth 
Colony ; for, while that colony never subjected itself to 
the reproach of religious intolerance and persecution, 
neither has it been obliged to appeal to the thundering- 
cannon for the protection of " law and order," so that 
while the original limits of old Rehoboth could furnish 
a retreat for lloger Williams, in his banishment from 
Massachusetts Bay, it has also yielded a safe asylum 
for the late fugitives from the laws of Rhode Island.* 

Upon our civil society, in its laws and cardinal fea- 
tures may be seen the legitimate effect of our modes 
of faith and ecclesiastical i:)olity, both of which are 
necessary for a symmetrical proportion and hannony 
m the heart and life ; and how can we do otherwise 
than turn to them, with a stronger, deeper attachment, 
especially when w^e find that drivelling, grovelling, 
selfish beings can seek to hide themselves within the 
folds of Christian rites and ceremonies, and the political 
convulsions of earth reveal a want which these are 
designed to supply] As if to defend and establish our 
position at every point, we learn the interesting fact, 
that the same man who negotiated for the original 
purchase of Attleborough, as a plantation of Rehoboth, 
was employed to negotiate between England and Hol- 
land, for the New Netherlands ; and so great was his 
practical wisdom, that the City of New York saw fit 
to elect Thomas Willett as its first mayor ; while his 
grave, he chose should be in Rehoboth. One of the 
first acts of the colony of New Netherlands, after its 

* During the recent excitement upon the question of free suffrage in R. I., 
Providence was placed under martial law, and the roar of the cannon was heard 
in this town daily for weeks, and in our different towns along the line were men 
of the Free Suffrage party, who had fled as for their lives. 



28 

transfer to England, although its first settlers were 
Dutch and Calvinists, (without our form of ecclesiasti- 
cal polity,) was to frame and establish certain churches 
and ministers, and, that " the act might not be con- 
strued too narrowly, it was declared that the vestry- 
men and church-wardens of the church established in 
New York, might call a Protestant Dissentmg minis- 
ter," a privilege which our Congregational Churches 
never asked of England or her agents, supposing it 
was not theirs to bestow. 

Approving the modes of faith and ecclesiastical polity 
of our fathers, shall we censure their usages and regu- 
lations "? Not in the least, as to their taste in dress, 
or architecture, and other things that might be men- 
tioned, when we remember that they were ready to 
leave merry old England only when its merriment 
knew no conscience or law higher than self-gratifica- 
tion, for the privations and trials of the wilderness, 
which were to be endured rather than chosen, — sub- 
mitted to rather than courted. If our fathers could 
worship God in plain dwellings, without cushioned 
pews, or painted doors and mahogany pulpits, without 
an excess of apparel or heat, to smother their zeal and 
deaden their life blood, and make use of the postilion 
and horse block, (while the strong must walk, and carry 
the musket for protection from savage violence,) what 
must we think of their children, if, laden with the 
stores of a bountiful Providence, they become negli- 
gent and slothful, in the peaceful possession of their 
civil and religious institutions.* 

While, then, with true filial affection we would 
shield the reputation of our fathers, and, if necessary, 
hide a father's faults, yet history has given notoriety 
to one feature, m the early religious history of Eeho- 
both, which we would gladly expunge, and omit on 

* A want of proper ventilation for our houses of religious worship, was an evil 
to which the fathers were not exposed, from a disuse of stoves, but which can be 
remedied with a little care or expense, and should be, for the benefit of speakers 
and hearers. 



29 

this occasion, were it not that History, to be profitable, 
must be impartial, and to be instructive, must be true. 

Says Mr. Baylies, " At this period, (soon after the 
establishment of the colonies) so much indifference as 
to the support of the clergy was manifested in Plym- 
outh colony, as to excite the alarm of the other con- 
federated colonies. The complaint of Massachusetts 
against Plymouth on this subject, was laid before the 
commissioners, and drew from them a severe reprehen- 
sion. Rehoboth had been afflicted with a severe 
schism, and by its proximity to Providence and its 
plantations, w^here there was a universal toleration, 
the practice of free inquiry was encouraged, and prin- 
ciple, fancy, whim and conscience, all conspired to 
lessen the veneration for ecclesiastical authority. In 
Sept. 1658, it was agreed that there shall be a town 
meeting this fortnight, and in case it appear that any 
person or persons be behind with Mr. Newman, that 
then some effectual course may be taken, according to 
court order, to make such to pay as have been negli- 
gent of their duty, for the settling of Mr. Newman 
amongst us. In 1671 it was voted, Mr. Newman's 
salary had not been paid, that there shall be a trial, 
made by contributions on every Sabbath." 

In this parish, as late as 1780, we find, as a condi- 
tion upon which places in their house of worship for 
pews could be bought by those not living in the 
parish, that the buyers and those to w^hom the pews 
should go, should pay their legal proportion towards 
supporting the gospel in this place, and for further 
repairs and all necessary charges. 

These are the facts, and as they pertain to ecclesias- 
tical authority, we would speak with becoming diffi- 
dence. The effect of the course adopted in the above 
votes, must have been to lessen ecclesiastical authority, 
or ministerial influence. That such was not intended, 
we honestly believe ; for if the fathers were jealous of 
any influence which they conceived to be prejudicial 



30 

to the interests of the colony, it was that which tended 
to lessen ecclesiastical authority. In their measures 
to relieve the difficulty, as we humbly conceive, they 
promoted the evil they would cure, and fanned the 
flame they would extinguish. The secret of the whole 
trouble, we apprehend, consisted not in a proximity to 
Providence, any more than to the Atlantic, but in a 
mistaken view of duty. With the belief that all who 
enjoyed the benefit of Christian mstitutions, should 
pay their just proportion for their support, they 
adopted measures not to square the accounts and 
relieve the ministry, but to bring the whole weight of 
ecclesiastical authority to bear with as much pressure 
as possible upon the sense of justice, and love of repu- 
tation, and good fame of the delinquents, and thus 
arraying covetousness, whim, and a perverted con- 
science, against the ministry. That our fathers were 
willing to aid in the support of the ministry cannot 
be doubted, for they could take the spoiling of their 
goods and estates joyfully when conscience demanded, 
but to pay a single penny or mill which had been 
assessed as a lawful tax upon others, was to sacrifice 
conscience and wound justice. The funds of the 
parishes within the original limits of Rehoboth, are 
sufficient to hold the fathers harmless, while the his- 
tory of those funds would form a chapter we must 
leave to others. This is only one of the deliriums of 
that nice faculty, which sometimes leads men not 
merely to do justly, if the heavens fall, but as another 
has said, that the heavens may fall. 

So disastrous was the efiect of this policy upon 
Rehoboth, that if its churches had not been founded 
upon something more valuable than political expe- 
diency, or selfish gratification, they would have been 
numbered with the things that were, but are not ; and 
the ministry would have sought refuge in itineracy, as 
the best, if not only mode of usefulness and success. 
So far as mere personal opinion may avail, a jealousy 



31 

for ministerial influence and respect, and true eccle- 
siastical authority, would induce us to say that those 
churches and parishes would have done well if they 
had never allowed ministerial influence or ecclesiastical 
authority to come in collision with the covetousness, 
or whims, or consciences of men, upon the subject of 
pecuniary support ; for while they were obliged to 
contend, at an expense of great loss, without any 
prospect of gain, so on the other hand, if necessity 
required they had taken the spoiling of their goods, 
they would have saved the tenderest, most sacred feel- 
ings of a mmister's heart, and in the most effectual 
manner have advanced the interests of the kingdom of 
our Redeemer, who said for our encouragement, — 
" Whosoever receiveth a prophet in the name of a 
prophet, shall receive a prophet's reward." Let the 
brethren who could shoulder the musket to protect 
the people from savage violence, take also the sw^ord 
of the spirit, and with it battle valiantly for truth and 
righteousness, rather than, for the name and credit of 
a learned and talented ministry, be obliged to turn 
that ministry into the market, as a system of broker- 
age, by which a few pence can be saved, and compel 
it to go in vain from street to street for the domestic 
comforts and articles of ordinary life. 

In justice to Rehoboth upon this subject, I would 
quote the authority of the Magnalia. Says Mather of 
Mr. Newman, " How many straits he underwent at 
Rehoboth, in the dark day when he was almost the 
only minister whose mvincihle jJf^tience held out under 
the scandalous neglect and contempt of the ministry, 
which the whole colony of Plymouth was for a while 
bewitched with, it is best known unto the compassion- 
able Lord, who said unto him, I knoir thy works, and 
how thou hast home and hast patience, and for my 
name's sake, hast labored, and hast not fainted^ 

From this necessarily brief sketch of the origin, 
history, and influence of the Church of Christ in this 



32 

parish, what more natural conclusions can we derive, 
than that godliness is profitable for the life that now 
is, and that God will succeed, and bless the labors of 
his covenanted people. When the statistics of our 
church tell us, that the three ex-pastors who have 
deceased, averaged the period of three score and ten ; 
and also that of the fourteen deacons who have been 
called to serve this, with other churches, the same can 
be said, what other inference can we adopt than that 
in the habits of sobriety, frugality, truth, and benevo- 
lence, which godliness is designed to secure, it tends 
to preserve and save natural life, as truly as that it is 
designed to confer upon man the life that is spiritual 
and eternal. 

No less clear and manifest is the inference that God 
will succeed and bless the labors of his covenanted 
people. If, of the baptized children of this church, num- 
bering more than one thousand, the history of those who 
lived to adult years could be traced, what pleasing 
evidence would be furnished of the fulfilment of God's 
precious promises ! About ten years since, there was 
an aged disciple* permitted to commune with us, around 
this table, over whose head seventy-one winters had 
passed since he was received into the church upon pro- 
fession of his faith, by Rev. Mr. Thacher, and was joined 
by the representatives of three successive generations 
from himself; thus combining in themselves four suc- 
cessive generations ; giving convincing evidence that 
the word of promise was sure. But why should we 
detain you with a recital of such facts and incidents, 
when the history of our churches is fraught with simi- 
lar scenes and events, to confirm our faith and elevate 
our hope 1 

Leaving, then, the churches and parishes lineally 
connected with this, six of whom are its branches, 
and with it completing the number of churches the 
beloved disciple saw in vision, as seven golden candle- 

* Deacon Ezekiel Kent. 



33 

sticks, havingf one in their midst, like unto the son of 
man, to the Christian advice and pastoral watch and 
care of those who are called to be their pastors and 
teachers, I would conclude, with a brief exhortation 
to the members of this Church. 

If to those who covenanted in this place a century 
since to be the Lord's, w^ere committed solemn trusts, 
and great responsibilities, — no less solemn trusts are 
now committed to you, to preserve the Institutions 
of our holy religion for succeeding generations, and, 
in the spirit of a Puritan ancestry, to pledge to Christ, 
and the interests of his Kingdom, your fortunes, your 
sacred honors, and your lives. The political clouds 
that hung o^er your fathers have passed away, the 
sky over our heads is clear, and never was a people 
called to enjoy a better heritage, or labor with a more 
sure prospect of success, than those of old Plymouth 
Colony. AVliile, then, you may rejoice that you have 
been counted worthy of such an heritage, and are per- 
mitted to stand in your lot, let not a false modesty 
lead you to bury your talents, but ever remember that 
you have enlisted in the service of one, Avho is might- 
ier than the sons of earth, whose sword is upon his 
thigh, and whose progress is only from conquest to 
conquest, and from victory to victory. If ever such 
counsel was needed, certainly it must be at the period 
in which we live, when men not only transmit their 
thoughts by lightning, but when the sanctuary of the 
dead, with all its sacred and tender associations, must 
give place for the iron horse, whose rumbling wheels 
and terrific screech remind us of the march of mind, 
and teach us, " Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, 
do it with thy might."* 

Enjoying the free air and light of Christian truth, 
with free institutions, why should any shrink from 



* The Boston and Providence Railroad passes within a few rods of the meet- 
ing-house, and through the graveyard adjoining, so that a large proportion, if 
not a majority of its graves were removed for its accommodation. 

5 



34 

those responsibilities which piety may consistently 
ask, or neglect any duty, social or relative, that justice 
and benevolence may require. Christian modesty is 
no less removed from that rude and boisterous spirit 
that knows no refinement, and cannot brook the least 
restraint or reform, than from that rapid, puny, spind- 
ling growth, which is the product of a regular stere- 
otyped system of means and measures, and consists in 
a willingness to learn, judge and decide, as to all truth 
and duty, and a frank, fearless discharge of all the 
services and labors they may require at our hands. 

To the members of this Church, the occasion speaks 
in accents not to be mistaken, — act worthy of an hon- 
ored ancestry : — of your own sentiments, and Christian 
belief, and, within the circle of your sympathies, char- 
ities and prayers, embrace a world in ruins, a world 
for which a Saviour bled and died, a world to be saved 
or lost. 

If any one should feel disposed to point to our 
fields, comparatively sterile, and our retirement from 
the marts of business and the busy crowd, as a reason 
for Christian imbecility and inaction, let him know, 
that rightly viewed, and correctly understood, these 
may be among our best instructors, to teach the 
necessity of wisdom and perseverance, the chief 
elements of excellence and success in any department 
or pursuit in life. To aw^aken the noblest emulation, 
and to inspire the brightest hopes, we would appeal 
to names familiar to your ears, names that belong to 
the town that gave them birth, and the country they 
served, in common with the families that honor them- 
selves, by respect paid to the memory of the absent 
departed ones. Leaving it to others to recall names 
that have reflected credit upon the town of their 
nativity, by services in mercantile, or professional life, 
suffice it for our present purpose, that we may refer to 
a Daggett, who was a Professor of Divinity, in Yale 
College, for twenty-five years, and for eleven years, pre- 



35 

sided over its affairs : — to a Maxcy, " who was the 
President of three Colleges, and was one of the most 
accomplished scholars, and pulpit orators, this country 
has produced " — to one, whose absence we deeply re- 
gret to day, aside from his distinguished personal worth, 
because of his cherished associations and sympathies 
with this Church, more than thirty years; and his name 
stands associated with those, whom not a few in New 
England love to cherish and honor.* 

What is in the future, is known only to Him who 
seeth the end from the beginning ; but of this we are 
assured, that while those who may arise to take our 
j)laces, ma)' re\dew and decide upon our measures and 
labors, with the same freedom that has characterized 
the present eifort ; so with them must we all join that 
congregation which never grows less, and stand before 
that great white throne, from the sight of which 
heaven and earth fled away. 

Let it be the part, both of pastor and people, to 
prepare on earth for a participation in that song which 
John heard, the song of Moses the servant of God, 
and the song of the Lamb, sung by those who stood 
on a sea of glass, having golden harps, saying. Great 
and marvellous are thy ivorks, Lord God Almiijhty ; 
just and true are tJiy ivays, thou Kimf of Sai?its. Who 
shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name ? for 
thou only art holy, for all nations shall come and wor- 
ship before thee, for thy judgments are made manifest 

*Rev. Jacob Ide, D.D., of West Medway, the successor of Rev. David Sand- 
ford, son-in-law and biographer of Rev. Nathanael Emmons, D.D., of Franklin. 



NOTE A. 

The subjoined letters are presented in their original forms, with the 
signatures annexed, and with them the following persons united at the 
organization of the Church : — 

Peter Thacher, from the Church in Middleboro', who thus became a 
member of the Church previous to liis ordination as pastor ; (an example 
as to membership that has been followed by all his successors in office). 

Jesiel Perry, Jr., Wm. Hutchins, David Hutchins, Eehoboth. 

Wm. Dryer. 



REQUEST. 

To the Church of Christ in Attleborough, Grace, 
Mercy, and Peace, be multiplied from God the 
Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Dearly Beloved : — Having a prospect (through the mercy of God) that 
the Gospel IVIinistry and Ordinances may be settled among us more con- 
veniently than to attend with you, and for the more regular cairying on 
of the Affairs of Christ's liingdom among us, it is our desire and design (by 
the help of God, and with your consent,) to Embody into a Church State, 
and come into a mutual Solemn Covenant and Oath, to serve the Lord God 
of our fathers, and by his grace and help, to walk with and before God, 
in all the Commands and Ordinances of the Lord, blameless. 

Our request of you is, that you would allow us this Liberty, which we 
are the rather encouraged to ask of and hope from you, inasmuch as your 
affairs (through the Goodness of God) do not now necessarily call for our 
presence with you, and inasmuch as we think we have had your Counte- 
nance, or at least Indulgence, in our Proceedings hitherto. Brethren belov- 
ed, we most sincerely say we should gladly have continued with you, in the 
same Worship, under the same Roof Yea, and we trust we are not separated 
from you, as to worship, though our Convenience calls us to attend Publick 
Ordinances in a distinct place ; we humbly hope we shall always remem- 
ber with thankfidness to God and You, the sweet Counsells we have taken, 
while we have been walking together to the House of God, and the precious 
Entertainments we have there so often had ; and we hope still to have the 
benefit of your Prayers to God for us, for his gracious assistance in all our 
undertakings, and in Special, those we are now desirous of engaging in, that 
we may not be unfaithfull in God's Covenant, but glorifie him here, and 
witli you, together with the whole Church Catholick, enjoy him Eternally 
hereafter. 

We hope, also, for your Pious and Friendly Endeavours of helpfullness, 



37 

as the I'roviilencc of God and our jMiturc Circumstances may require aid 
— and our prayer to God tor you is, that yon may be saved. 

We rest, Dear Brethren, Yours in the tendercst bonds of Duty and 
Afleetion. , 

Oct., 1 748. 

Joseph Capkon and Wife, 

JoxATHAN WiLMAUTir and Wife. 

Thomas Fkencif and Wife, 

Stephen Wilmautii, 

Mary French, 

IcMiAisoi) Perry, 

John Wilkinson, 

Abraham Comming and Wife, 

Aaron Cutting, 

Nathan Wilmarth and Wife, 

John Tiffany and Wife, 

Henry Joslin, Jr., 

Edward Foster and Wife, 

Elizap.eth Lane, 

Abigail Powell, 

Obadiah Carpenter and Wife, 

Joseph BxVrrus and Wife, 

Daniel Perry and Wife, 

Henry Joslin, 

Jonas Richardson, 

Bethiah Carpenter, 

Thomas Wilmarth, 

IloRERT Martin and Wife, 

Reisecca Brown, 

William Bolcom and Wife, 

David Perry and Wife, 

Sarah Jackson, 

John Tyler and Wife, 

Joseph Bishop, 

Daniel W^ilmarth, 

Hannah (the wife of Sam.) Jackson, 

Thomas Sweet and Wife, 

LiDDiA (the wife of Wm.) Lane, 

John Sweet and Wife. 

ANSWER. 

Attleborough, Nov. 26, 1748. 
To the Brethren and Sisters of the Church of Christ, 
in Attleborough, East Precinct, who have applied 
to the Church for Dismission, in order to Embody 
in a Church State by themselves. 

Dearly beloved in our Lord Jesus Christ : — Your Request has been 
laid before us by our Pastor, and we do hereby Signifie our hearty Com- 
pliance with it, adoring the Goodness of God towards you, in disposing 
and enclining your hearts to Settle and Support the Gospel and ordi- 



38 

nances of Jesus Christ among you, and in leading you to, and uniting you 
in, the Choice of a Pastor, which we apprehend to be one after God's own 
heart, and encHning Him to undertake the Pastoral Charge of you, and 
are ready to Concur with and assist you in His Solemn Separation to the 
Sacred work of the Gospel ministry. 

We earnestly Desire the blessing of God to be upon you and your 
Elect Pastor, and that He would Succeed His preached Gospel and ordi- 
nances abundantly among }0u. We desii'e your prayers for us, and all 
that assistance we may at any time stand in need of from you. 

And now, Dearly beloved, we Commend you to God, and to the word 
of His grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheri- 
tance among all them that are Sanctified, through faith that is in Christ 
Jesus, and Rest your brethren in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel. 

Habijah Weld, Pastor : 
In the Name and with the Consent of the Church. 



NOTE B. 

Extracts from a Sermon Preached in Attleborougli, 
East Parish, Oct. 15th, 1820, by Rev. Nathan 
Hohnan. 

^Vhen I came into this place, the Church and Society were considered 
as being in a very low state. Twenty years had passed away without any 
special attention to religion, and for eighteen years but nine members had 
been added. It might therefore be expected that the Church would be 
much reduced. This was found to be the case. There were then but 
forty-six members ; fourteen males, five of whom lived in Rehoboth, and 
thirty-two females. Four of the male members had not for a number of 
years communed, or acted with the Church, and never did afterwards. 
Among the remaining ten, none were under fifty years, and some were 
very far advanced in life. Three died in a short time, and some others 
within a few years. In 1800, sixteen members were added to the Church, 
and in 1801, twenty-seven more; making, in the two years, forty-three. 
Twelve of these were males, and thirty-one females. Deducting for 
deaths and removals, the Church at the close of the year 1802 could 
not consist of more than eighty members. From this time to 1814, a 
period of twelve years, only twelve were added to the Church, three males 
and nine females. In these twelve years a considerable number died, and 
a greater number removed into other places, so that in 1814 there were 
but fifty members in the Church, eleven males, and thirty-nine females. 
This was a period of great declension, and abounding iniquity. Though 
under the ministry of the Rev. Mr. Thacher, this people were applauded 
for the regularity of their habits and the morality of their lives, yet for 
the long period of about twenty years after he was taken off from his 
labors, to the year 1800, immoral practices had sprung up and become very 
prevalent. Gambling of almost every kind was much practised. Profane 
swearing had become quite fashionable among a certain class of the peo- 
ple, and the same class of people were seen so frequently at the taverns 
and grogshops, as to obtain the appellation of tavern-haunters ; and 
although the revival of religion in 1800 and 1801 proved a check upon 
these practices, yet they were continued, in a greater or less degree, and 



:^9 



opposition was I'elt and expressed by a number, Uiroujih the wLole oi' the 
revival ; and after the revival, as religion declined, iniquity abounded 
more and more. 

In 1814, it seemed as though the plans of the wicked were systematized, 
and brought to periection. The number oi" the C'luirch had become 
small, and sinners were multiplied, and seemingly without check or control. 
Professors of religion were ready to despair — to think that the mi-rcy of 
(iod was clean gone, and that religion would soon be removed from this 
place. More than a year had passed away, without a religious conference, 
or meeting for prayer. The like had not occurred before since the revival 
in 1800. Professors had become in a degree strangers to each other. 
They had much reason to believe that all were slumbering and sleeping 
together. But God was pleased, in great mercy, to interpose, and after 
the work of the Lord became visible;, it was foiuul that most of the mem- 
bers of the Church had been led to feel the deplorablencss of our case, 
and to pray for a retbrmation for months before it was known to take 
place. Some time in the fall of 1814, a religious conference was appointed 
at the meeting-house, and was attended by a respectable number. It was 
then thought best, as the next was the week of our Lecture, not to have 
another conference under a fortnight, which it was agreed should be held 
in a private house. This proved to be the house where the first subjects 
of the reformation appeared. The conference then appointed was 
attended, and one every week after, during the reformation. For several 
weeks, however, but few males attended, and the prayers Avere all oifered 
by the Pastor. Conference meetings were, for a number of Aveeks, met 
with the assembling of the irreligious the same week, and sometimes the 
same day. The day following one of them, there was a horse-race in the 
same direction of the religious meeting, which drew together a large num- 
ber of men. The week following, the same day of the conference, there 
was a foot-race, which it was thought assembled at least two hundred peo- 
ple, men and boys. This, however, was a day of encouragement to the 
mourners in Zion. Five men, though not all members of the Church, 
attended the meeting. It was solemn and aifectionate. Much tenderness 
of feeling was evident, and many tears were shed. In about ten days 
after this, a large ball which had been comtemplated, and which was to 
have assembled most of our dear youth together, with others from the 
neighboring towns, was to have been attended. But sei'iousness was so 
impressed upon the minds of many, and the sudden death of Dea. Thacher 
occurring, and his funeral being attended the same day of the ball, influ- 
enced most of them to relinquish their object. Others attended the ball, but 
with the promise that they would never attend another, and it is to be 
hoped they never will, for they have been hopefully converted, and become 
regular members of the Church. From this time all vain amusements, 
and, as far as appeared, all gambling, was discontinued. The attention of 
all appeared to be more or less turned to the great subject of religion. 
The work gradually progressed, and continued for about two years. Many 
were brought to acknowledge the hand of God, which became more and 
more visible. No unusual means had been used, no new preachers had 
appeared among us, and no alarming providences had occurred. Yet the 
minds of the people were generally solemnized. The youth were dis- 
posed to forsake their vanities, and to jjass by the place of their usual 
resort, to attend religious meetings. Had this taken place a year before, 
it might have been thought to be caused by the sickness and the deaths 
with which we were then visited. We had then more cases of fever, and 



■10 

more deaths oocasioned by levers, than we had had for thirteen years 
before. Five died in one family. During the time of tliis sickness, which 
was a period of about seven months, more than thirty died in this parish ; 
eight of whom were members of this Church. Yet during this distressing 
period, we have never had a season of greater stupidity. But at the com- 
mencement of the revival, it was a time of health and genei^al prosperity. 
About the first of December I opened my house for all who were disposed 
to attend a religious conference on Sabbath evening. Not a large number 
attended the fii-st evening, but the meeting was peculiarly joyful to some. 
At the following meetings the number constantly increased, until two 
laro-e rooms were filled toovcrflowing. These meetings were continued 
regularly, in the cold season, for two years. In the warm season, we held 
our Sabbath evening conferences in the meeting-house, and generally the 
lower part of the house was avcII filled. These, together with the conferences 
on Wednesday befoi-e mentioned, were aU the meetings we held, in addi- 
tion to our usual meeting on the Sabbath. Our meetings were still and 
solemn. Many were made joyful in the house of prayer. Those who 
entertained a hope in the mercy of God, were free to relate their Christian 
experience, but nothing which had the appearance of enthusiasm or mis- 
guided zeal. Our meetings were seldom continued to the length of two 
hours. Christians were greatly animated, and appeared to enjoy the spirit 
of prayer. Great harmony prevailed, and we appeared to be united in 
love. No one regarded his time or his property, if by it he could advance 
the cause of religion. Whilst God was at work by his Spirit, almost every 
sermon and every religious effort was blessed to some. I spent much 
time in visiting from house to house, and was made welcome at every 
house, and every one appeared willing to relate the feelings of his heart. 
For the space of two years very little was said, except what related to 
the subject of religion. In view of what was passing before us, and what 
we felt in our own breasts, we were constrained to say, " This is the Lord's 
doings, and marvellous in our eyes." 

Our assemblies on the Lord's day, were much enlarged, especially on 
Communion days, on which occasion members were usually admitted. 
Storms, or bad travelling, made but very little difference. Upon the 
first Sabbath in March, 1815, the roads were in a very bad state, and 
under any other state of feeling than what then existed, would have been 
thought impassable. The snow had been very deep, and for a few days 
previous, the banks had been mellowed by a warm sun, and filled with 
water to an unusual depth. The morning was warm and foggy ; yet the 
people pressed through the snow and water, some on horseback, some in 
wagons, and some on sleds drawn by large ox-teams ; some in sleighs, 
some in chaises, and some on horse-sleds, until the meeting-house was 
well filled. The morning of the first Sabbath in May was rainy, yet 
every seat in the meeting-house was completely filled. On the first Sab- 
bath in July, the weather was fair and pleasant. ]\Iany more attended 
the meeting than could be seated in the meeting-house. During both 
services, which were not less than two hours each, many stood upon 
their feet, and all were attentive and serious. The relations of those 
who hopefully experienced religion, were thought to be peculiarly scrip- 
tural, and truly Orthodox. For two years, we had no communion with- 
out one or more being added to the Church. Twenty-seven is the 
largest number added at any one time. The whole number added, since 
the commencement of the revival, is one hundred and thirty-four ; 
thirty-nine males, and ninety-five females." Says one of the subjects of 



41 

that revival, One felt that his self-righteousness dropped from him at 
once, as a filthy garment, and as he stood naked before God, a Saviour, 
mighty to save, "vvas revealed. Another clung to the works of the law, 
and was long distressed. 

A pious father travelled some thirty miles to bring home an absent 
child, saying, " It is my duty to place my children where God is." Next 
day she "attended a conference, and the thirtieth hymn, second book of 
Watts, was sung. She arose and sung the first and second stanzas with 
others. When they began the third, 

" Let those refuse to sing, 
Who never knew their God," 

she dropped upon her seat, and knew no more peace, till she found it in 
believin<T. She is now a mother in Israel. 



POSTSCRIPT. 

In accordance with a previous vote of the Church, a meeting was held 
Thursday, December 7th, 1848, in honor of the organization of the Sec- 
ond Congregational Church in Attleboro', Nov. 30th, 1748, (the alteration 
in time made for convenience) when the preceding discourse was deliv- 
ered, and public religious services were conducted, suitable to the occa- 
sion. According to letters missive, delegates were in attendance from 
the following Churches : — 

The Congregational Church in Seekonk. 

The First Church in Attleboro'. 

The Congregational Church in Harford, Pa. 
" " " in Pawtucket, Mass. 

" " " in Central Falls, R. I. 

So far as the season and personal engagements would permit, the sons 
ot the Church from abroad united with us. 

From letters received by the Committee of Arrangements, the follow- 
inof extracts may be quoted. Says Rev. A. Miller, in a letter dated Har- 
ford, Pa., Nov. '24th, 1848,-1 have learned that Mr. S C 

has originated the plan of a " Sabbath exchange" between j'our Pastor 
and myself, soon after the New York and Erie Railroad shall be in oper- 
ation to our vicinity, furnishing its facilities for comfortable and speedy 
journeying. That such a thing would ever be accomplished, and in such 
a way, was remote enough from the conceptions of our early settlers. 
Some of them came hither from Attleboro' on the ox-sleds, and were 
about four weeks on the way. And when a mother would visit the place 
of her nativity, she rode thither on horseback, with her daughter mounted 
behind her. I am highly gratified with the plan proposed. It would 
serve to keep alive the affectionate remembrances which exist. Mr. 
C will please to accept my acknowledgments, and, Providence per- 
mitting, he will find me ready at almost any time, when he would deem 
it best to move the matter. Says Rev. M. Thacher, in a letter dated, 
Virgil, Cortland Co., N. Y., Nov. SOth, 1848 : I am acquainted with no 
Church, from which, considering its location, and the number of its con- 
stituent members, so many sons and daughters have emanated as from 
the Second Church in Attleboro'. Her descendants are found in almost 
all the Eastern, Middle, Western, and some of the Southern States, 
active members of various Churches, which they have been either 



44 

different forms of -worship — their intolerance of other sects, which has 
subjected them to so much obloquy and reproach from those -who hare 
iud<Ted inconsiderately, and without making any allowance for the circum- 
stances in which they were placed. 

These facts will not, indeed, fully justify them — but they wiU palliate 
their errors — will, in a great measure, relieye the memory of pious and 
patriotic men from the shades which now rest upon it. It is not for us 
to judse them harshly. They were faithful and conscientious laborers in 
the cause of human progress — la^-ing the foundations on which after-ages 
were to build. They were far in adyance of the age in which they 
liyed, in regard to ciyil freedom, and eyen to religious tolerance. It is 
not becoming in us to cast reproach upon those who lived in the day- 
break of a dark age,* for not seeing clearly aU that we see in the more 
perfect day. In forming our judgment and passing sentence on their 
conduct, we should take into view their objects and motives of action. 
A more familiar acquaintance iVith their history — a better appreciation 
of their merits — a more candid and charitable consideration of their 
trials and motives of action — in fine, truth and historical justice will 
yet rescue the memory of the pilgrims from the injustice which has been 
done them. 

This Aiew of their position, did time permit, might be enlarged and 
illustrated ; and it might also be shown that even the historyf of their 
reli^aous exclusiveness has been overstated and misrepresented. 

Although the weather was verv' unfavorable, the attendance was good, 
clearly indicative of the interest generally felt in its occurrence, and its 
proceedings will be treasured up among the interesting events in the his- 
torj- of the parish. 

* " That age," says Prince, " of low and universal bigotry which then pre- 
vailed in the English nation." 

The pilgrims had then but just emerged from the darkness of that age. They 
became the pioneers of religious freedom in the new world. 

f It will be seen by the early chronicles of Plymouth Colony, particularly by 
Edward Winslow's " Brief Xarration," that the pilgrims of that colony were 
actuated by no bigoted spirit against other sects, and that many of the charges 
of intolerance preferred against them were unfounded. 



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